Keep that popcorn ceiling & make it look lovely

I had years of flat painted popcorn ceilings that got dirty and were impossible
to clean or even dust without it dropping all over the floors.
When I bought a home built in the 60's - I had new popcorn installed in the
large kitchen when the cabinets were removed. Then ALL the ceilings in the
house were double coated with excellent white semi-gloss latex ---wash it to
your hearts content if you so choose... sweep it, vacuum it and it never comes
down on you or the furniture. It also takes a new coat of paint very quickly.
The last few years I've chosen to paint the ceiling the same color as the walls
(except the red one). Change is good! Experiment - it's just paint !

No matter if the popcorn is old or new - it can be painted and most people use
cheap flat white -- WRONG. Paint it with good quality (Washable) semi-gloss
acrylic, preferably 2 coats. Some popcorn will fall if it's new - just paint
with a roller. New construction, it would be easier to spray paint - your
choice. Paint it like you would a wall!

Never semi-gloss on my ceilings (nor on my walls). I use semi-gloss
on trim; flat for walls and ceilings.
We had popcorn in the living room when we moved in. Luckily, it was
applied over several coats of old paint, and the popcorn itself had never
been painted (although some genius added glitter). A little action with a
garden sprayer of water and a plastic putty knife, followed by washing, and
finally flat white ceiling paint (Sherwin-Williams Superpaint, IIRC), and
my cove-ceiling living room looks just as it should.
Cindy Hamilton

If you have ever had stains from food or drink or dirty grease -- any of it can
be cleaned with hot/warn soapy water just like the the wall cleaning for dirty
hand prints. Get a ladder and pail and rags.Vacuum cob webs or any dirt with a
long hose and wands...just like the floor!
When painted with a good semi gloss acrylic paint - NO pop corn falls while
cleaning.

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